We lost someone this week whose art I mostly loved, on occasion hated, and always felt pushed by: Jaime Carrera. He made provocative, weird art. The first time I saw him perform was the Choreographer's Evening in 2007? 2008? at the Walker Art Center. He stood naked in the middle of the stage except for a very long wig (like floor-length) and high heels. He swayed the hair back and forth then slowly posed in "muscle-man" poses. My parents, along with most other people there, couldn't stop talking about it. Nastalie and I were instantly in love and had to meet this person. Not long after, we performed with Jaime at countless cabarets and shows. He performed in my work, and I in his. The last work I saw of his was the most controversial, in my mind, I'd seen, at Patrick's Cabaret last June. I was offended and challenged by it. I didn't think it was one of his best pieces, nor did I think the offensive part was very purposeful or thought out, but it was Jaime. And I watched him revel in the controversy. I think, actually, that might even have been the last time I saw him. I wonder if he might have changed his mind about the piece as time passed, but now we'll never know. Nonetheless, I always felt very tender about him. In looking back through my archive, I found several very sweet exchanges between us over email and facebook. I am reflecting on how amazing it was that he agreed to be part of my 2010 Naked Stages piece. I think it wasn't really much his thing to be in other people's work, but for some reason, he said yes to me. Here's some excerpts:
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